33 Ways to Reduce Stress

Into each life some stress must fall. But when "some" turns into "too much," try a few of these stress busting tips.

Stress can be related to happy or unhappy events. It can be triggered by trivial matters as well as major life crises. It also builds up gradually when you have more things to do than time in which to do them. Some doctors believe that 90 percent of all illnesses are stress related. But stress is not necessarily bad. A life without it would be stagnant and boring.

There are many practical ways to avoid, reduce or relieve stress.

Relieving Stress:

1. Touch - hold hands, stroke a pet, hug a loved one. Physical contact is the best stress reliever of all.
2. Find enjoyable ways to Exercise. Breathe deeply, stretch your muscles, jump rope, ride a bike, jog – do something.
3. Get it off your chest. Bottling up feelings increases stress. Feel free to complain, express disappointment, tell people if they hurt your feelings.
4. Talk to a loving friend or relative. A sympathetic listener is always helpful. They become "band-aid friends." A band-aid friend helps you from bleeding to death. Find one!
5. Schedule more Fun. Don't give up seeing friends and doing the things you enjoy because you "have too much to do." Work goes faster and produces less stress when fun is a part of your life.
6. Have a Massage. Treat yourself and see that tension melts away under the touch of experienced fingers. But a talented amateur - a friend - can do almost as well.
7. Prepare yourself to wait. Long lines in a post office or a delay at the dentist's office is almost pleasant with a good book in hand.
8. Find the Humor in it. Every disaster has something funny about it.
9. Relax your standards. Doing everything perfectly is not only unnecessary, it's boring. Ignore some of the dirt.
10. Get help with the jobs you hate. Whether it's paying bills, defrosting the refrigerator, cleaning the oven...beg, barter or pay for help... it's worth it.
11. Establish a Serene Island of your own - even if it is just a comfortable chair in a corner, or propped up in bed with a book or TV.
12. Change your perspective. Instead of worrying about what will happen if...try asking yourself "So what?" So what if a birthday gift is a few days late. Even if our worst fears are realized, they often turn out not to be as bad.
13. Count your blessings. No disaster is so bad that it couldn't be worse - and it helps to remember that.
14. Unclutter your life. Get rid of clothes and furniture you never use; activities you don't enjoy. Anything you can do to simplify your life helps reduce stress.
15. Pamper Yourself.
16. Get plenty of rest and sleep.
17. Learn to use relaxation techniques.
18. Find a new hobby.

    Avoiding Stress:

19. Get up earlier in the morning. Giving yourself an extra 15 minutes helps you to avoid morning mishaps.
20. Prepare for morning the night before.
21. Never wear ill fitting clothes. Shoes that pinch or a waistband that binds can be stressful all day.
22. Don't rely on your memory. Practice making notes for yourself on things to do and remember.
23. Practice preventative maintenance. Keep cleaned and serviced: automobiles, heaters, air conditioners, washers, dryers, etc. You'll have fewer breakdowns.
24. Make duplicates of all keys. Exchange house and car keys with a trusted neighbor or hide them where you alone can get to them.
25. Say "no" more often. Learn to turn down invitations, requests and activities.
26. Walk everywhere you can. Exercise has a soothing effect.

    Points to Remember:

27. Trust your irritation level.
28. Be patient.
29. Take one step at a time.
30. There are unlimited options.
31. Coping skills are learned so they can be changed.
32. Increase your available skills.
33. Self-responsibility is required.

How to Communicate Better

• Be simple and truthful.
• Be brief. Don't be afraid to repeat statements.
• Recognize agitation. Allow time to escape discussion.
• Do not always expect rational discussion.
• Be willing to work for attention and initiate conversation.
• Be sensitive to but not do not overreact to changing emotions.
• Ignore delusions.
• Stay positive.
• Disregard silences and delayed reactions.
• When making positive requests:
  • Look at the person,
  • Say exactly what you want them to do,
  • Tell them how it would make you feel.
• When expressing negative feelings:
  • Look at the person,
  • Speak firmly,
  • State exactly what they did that upset you,
  • Make suggestions on how to avoid repeating the behavior.
• Be clear, specific, and firm on acceptable behavior versus unacceptable behavior.
• Use praise to encourage any progress no matter how small.
• Love the individual, even though you hate the effects of the brain disorder.

How to Cope With a Person Losing Control of Anger

DO
• Remain calm.
• Listen.
• Agree with something the person is saying.
• Isolate the situation.
• Enforce limits, calmly and repetitively.
• Speak simply.
• Give food, share a cigarette, offer coffee.

DON’T
• Speak in an angry or authoritarian tone.
• Take it personally.
• Ignore or turn your back on person.
• Get in a power struggle or argue.
• Threaten.
• Assume you know what’s going on.
• Fake attention or make false promises.